 |
 |
 |
Friday night, DJ music, live
entertainment by Avvy (Ghost Moves, Roach on my Bread... - check him out
at www.avvyonline.com) and T'rez (Da Stage is Mine, Suga Shack... - check
her out at www.trezhepburn.com)
Saturday night, DJ music, live
entertainment by The Brilanders (Party in the Backyard, Harbour Island...
- check them out at www.eleutheraliving.com/brilanders)
Thursday August 24 thru Saturday August 26 Governor's Harbour will be celebrating "Weekend in the Park". Stalls will be open all day with food, drink, games, and other items for sale. Friday night a local DJ will host the music. Other entertainment will be T'rez Hepburn, Avvy, and the Brilanders. Here's the "confusing" part... it is still not clear what days which musicians will be entertaining. And, I guess the KB info I was given earlier was wrong! Anyhow, I'll keep you posted as I find out more information.
From the Nassau Guardian, http://www.thenassauguardian.net/social_community/352698700350854.php:
Abner Pinder, By Norman Rolle, WEEKENDER EDITOR
Spanish Wells is a tiny island (a mile and three quarters long by a half mile) of 1,800 people, tucked between North Eleuthera and Harbour Island. Eleutheran Adventurers settled there in 1648 and were later joined by British Loyalists, who came following the American War of Independence in 1776.
With an abundance of fish in the surrounding waters, a lucrative fishing industry sprung up; from the beginning most of the population became fishermen and to this day, for 60 per cent of the Spanish Wells population, fishing remains the island's main industry, which has created per capita, perhaps the highest number of millionaires in the world.
Abner Pinder, shy of 60, is among the modern day successful fishermen of Spanish Wells. But with an inherent leadership ability, he, when Local Government was introduced in The Bahamas in 1999, racked up his fishing gear and placed his name in nomination and won a place on the Local Government board, a non-paying job, but nonetheless, one that he likes and from which he gets much satisfaction.
"For the past 20 years, I just about devoted my life entirely to helping other people. The greatest satisfaction that I get out of life, is being able to help and do things for other people that they can't do for themselves."
In the first term, Spanish Wells along with Harbour Island and North Eleuthera, were known as committees which made up the District Council of nine members, three people from each committee. That arrangement, however, was short-lived. In 2002, each of the three were elevated to District Council, whereupon Pinder was elected Chief Council for Spanish Wells.
"I have a full life. My personal businesses occupy about 40 per cent of my time. Local Government occupies 60 per cent," declares Pinder, who during the interview often stopped in mid sentence to take phone calls. He admits: "We don't have a council office where the people can come with all their headaches ...They bring their headaches here," referring to his modest office on a Spanish Wells waterfront. "On a daily basis I sometimes see 30 or 40 people."
Water shortage, he says, is the most frequent complaint he gets. "All in all, I don't think that there is anything that needs to be changed about Spanish Wells. We don't want to change it too much... This is one of the things this Council tries to ensure. We have a lot of foreigners coming here to build homes. We welcome them as long as they don't try to change the island. If they want to come in here and fit in with what they meet, they're more than welcome, but when they try to change it, then it's time for them to go back home.
"We have this development down in Russells Island... that's going to be a five, six hundred million dollar development. But the good thing about that now is that we'll get people coming from Spanish Wells and the mainland. Hopefully, its going to provide jobs for 400-500 from the mainland if they want to work. It's not going to provide that many jobs for people around Spanish Wells because most of the people are already working."
There are about a dozen Spanish Wells farmers who grow vegetables, citrus, mangoes, and bananas on the mainland of Eleuthera and on Russells Island, which is also becoming residential.
"All of the young people are building homes there," says Pinder, who admits "there's little land left on Spanish Wells. There are a few tracks owned by people who live in Nassau but they don't want to sell and don't keep them clean. That's one of the problems Local Government faces. It's very irritating for people to see these big plots of land left as dumps."
Abner Pinder was born on Sept. 21, 1949, was raised in Spanish Wells. Except for his paternal grandmother who was born on Harbour Island, the Pinder ancestors are all of Spanish Wells descent. He has two daughters and five grandchildren.
"Spanish Wells is a family. If somebody gets into trouble and needs help, you have many people who come to help. It does not matter who an individual is ....If he comes to Spanish Wells and doesn't have a chip on his shoulder, he's treated like royalty."
Pinder's diverse business interests include White Crown Aviation of North Eleuthera, Blackbeard's Cay, off Cable Beach, a golf cart rental, apartment rental, real estate, a fishing operation, shipping agent for the Bohengy and a freight boat plying between Spanish Wells and West Palm Beach.
In the past eight to nine years, Spanish Wells has experienced a marked increase in visitors, mainly family-oriented. "They can turn their children loose and not have to worry about anything happening to them."
What about crime? "The biggest crime we have around here is someone taking gas out of someone else's boat for their motorcycle. This is because gas stations don't open at night. There's never been a murder here, not in my lifetime," he admits with pride.
"There's not much wrong in Spanish Wells. Things have changed here since Local Government came. We make the decision to do what needs to be done here and we try to keep on top of it ... to make sure everything is done and done right."
Elon Moxey entertains the crowd |
Elon has 4 boys come up on stage and dance with him. |
Local Hatchet Bay fashion show |
Dollars and Candy are tossed by "Santa" to the children
|
From the Nassau Guardian: http://www.thenassauguardian.com/national_local/317459086065550.php
Preacher's Cave report
By JASMIN BONIMY, Guardian Staff Reporter
, jasmin@nasguard.comA report officially confirming whether bones found at Eleuthera's Preacher's Cave are the centuries old remains of a Lucayan indian and an Eleutheran Adventurer is expected to be issued in the next few weeks.
In March, a team of Miami-Dade archaeologists discovered what is believed to be the 500-year-old skeletal remains of a Lucayan Indian lying inches away from the remains of a 350-year-old Eleutheran Adventurer, just 150 meters beneath the cave's floor.
Now officials say a report on the historic find is expected to be issued by the end of the month.
Jeff Ransom, a Miami-Dade archaeologist who was at the Preacher's Cave dig, told The Guardian in an earlier interview: "A report concerning our excavations and the analysis of human remains at Preacher's Cave will be coming out soon, maybe by the end of August 2006."
Just days after the ancient skeletal remains were unearthed, government officials on Eleuthera said they hoped to transform the world-renowned cave into a national preservation park. Speaking at a press conference to announce the American-based archaeological team's findings, tourism official in Eleuthera, Raymond Harrison, said the park would benefit locals as well as visitors.
"We are looking to make this a national park because we want Bahamians to come and enjoy the cave as well," said Mr Harrison.
"What we have here is well beyond our imagination," he continued. "It lends itself not only to Bahamians and regular visitors but we are looking at historians, archaeologists and university students who study here. So it is important that we look at what we have here."
Mr Harrison also revealed that the proposed park would include a caretaker's house and 12 cabanas along the ridge area. He added that the government was also looking into developing nearby land that is owned by the island's Commonage Committee.
Eleuthera's Preachers Cave gained its name and notoriety in 1648 after Captain William Sayles and 75 settlers left Bermuda to settle in a place where they could practice religion freely. The group, which later came to be known as the Eleutherian Adventurers, were shipwrecked in a storm.
One man was drowned and the others managed to find shelter in the cave. A religious ceremony was later held there on the anniversary of the wreck in thanksgiving for their safe passage.
Comedy skit |
Spectators |
Spice entertains with local children |
Spice and Coakley |
Frankie Victory
|
The entertainers are entertained!
|
Donna hugs T'rez after presenting her with an award - Rudy is with the microphone in the background |
Nita receives her award
|
Donna with KB
|
Avvy receives Best New Artist |
Ronnie Butler is recognized with a lifetime achievement award
|
Larry Cleare holds Les Turnquest's (of Stars Records) award for recognition of his promotion & work with Bahamian music |
The Lassie Doh Boys |
Last night the bar was open at Tarpum Bay homecoming site and the DJs from Nassau, Terrence and Reggie, were cranking out the tunes. About 20 or so folks were enjoying the cool Tuesday night air while plenty of kids played on the basketball court and several young girls got up on the stage and "practiced" their synchronized walk for an imaginary fashion show. It was quite adorable!
It looks like we may have some weather coming this way. Tropical storm Chris is at 65mph now and Eleuthera is in her potential projected path. I will be here and will keep everyone up to date on our weather. Hopefully it will skirt to the south and give us clear days and nights with a nice breeze. Today, in Tarpum Bay, has been overcast all day with a gentle wind. The boys are out fishing. Yesterday started lobster season and one local boat brought in over 100 crawfish!
Schedule:
Wed 8/2:
Church service
Fri 8/4:
Primary School Junkanoo Rushout
Y2k Dancers
Live Music - Rake 'n Scrape
Cultural Show
Sat 8/5:
Crazy Sports noon-7pm
Primary School Junaknoo Rushout
Y2k Dancers
Live Music - Rake 'n Scrape
Live Music - Rum Runners
Sun 8/6:
Live Music - gospel concert
Fashion show
Y2k Dancers
Live Music - Rake 'n Scrape
Theme: "Preserving our Rich Heritage
Schedule:
Wed 8/2: Church service
Park opens at 9:30, stalls will be open, DJ music
Thu 8/3:
8am stalls open
6pm - Watermelon eating contest
9pm - Talent Search
10pm - Live Music - Alex and the Boys
12pm - Jump and Dance (fire dance) ... still under consideration
Fri 8/4:
8am stalls open
5pm - Hatchet Bay marching band
7pm - official opening with Bahamian dignitaries in attendance
8pm - Live Music - Rum Runners
9:30pm - Live Music - Extremers
10:30pm - Fashions by Angelica (Angelica is a local Hatchet Bay young lady who designs and makes her own clothes)
11:30pm - Frankie Mayne Comedy
12:00 - Live Music - Spice
Sat 8/5:
8am stalls open
7:30pm - Little Miss Hatchet Bay Fest beauty pageant
10:00pm - Live Music - Brilanders
11:00pm - Live Music - Elon Moxey
Sun 8/6:
Park site is closed until 4pm for church services
4pm: Gospel Concert - "Rising Stars" - (6 young girls from Andros)
7pm: Frankie Mayne Comedy
8pm: Live Music Rum Runners
10pm: Live Music - Extremers
11pm: Live Music- Brilanders
Mon 8/7: (August Monday):
Beach party by SeaSide all day
6pm: Park site opens, Karaoke and Live Music with Alex and the Boys
Upcoming events:
Wednesday 7/26 - Seagrapes, Briland - Soca Queen Lady
E (see info on her at http://www.thenassauguardian.com/social_community/306970841994267.php).
Friday 7/28 - Seagrapes, Briland - Stars
Records 10th Anniversay Celebration and Awards presentation - Come
see the Brilanders, Ronnie Butler, KB, T'rez, the Lassie Doh Boys, Ancient
Man and more perform live!
Thursday 8/3 thru 8/6 - Hatchet Bay Bay
Festival and Tarpum Bay Back to the Bay Homecomings
commence.
Friday 8/4 - Governor's Harbour Fish Fry
- guest performers, the Brilanders
And... down the road... Governor's Harbour Homecoming has been moved to August 23-27.
Last Friday we went to Fish Fry in Governor's. There was a sizeable local crowd there. On Saturday we went to Ronnie's to check out the Lassie Doh boys. There was a great crowd at Ronnie's. Must have been 100 people watching the show. They started their first set at midnight - and their second set a 2am. Great rake 'n scrape!!! It's so good that Ronnie's is bringing entertainment like this to the island. I hope we see more events like this! Then, on Sunday, I was visiting Tarpum Bay and heard the sound of a band. The Church of God Temple was celebrating a Youth Revival, and the congregation had taken to the streets with a lively march centered around the youth band. It was quite a joyous event.
Fish Fry |
Great crowd |
Youth Revival in Tarpum Bay |
Lassie Doh Boys (and me) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Saturday night 10:00pm ---???
Rake 'n Scrape with The Lassiedoh Boys!!!
$10 cover to get in.
Come listen live to the hot new hit, "Mama don't like no Rake 'n
Scrape'
Get ready for the homecomings all next weekend - Savannah Sound and Bluff. And, on Saturday night only - the Mission House in Rock Sound is doing a fund raiser. In Bluff, the Brilanders will play on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. In addition, there will be a local rake 'n scrape band. Miss Daisy will also be there Friday night. and the Briland marching band will also entertain. Savannah Sound will have crazy sports on Friday and at 9pm the Snap Shot band will play followed by Cultural Dancers and a rank 'n scrape band from Cat Island. On Saturday evening there will be a fashion explosion at 11pm featuring Pepper Johnson and at 12:30 in the morning, Jay Mitchell performs On Sunday, Snapshot band performs, the Cultural dancers are back and the Cheeter girls perform. In Rock Sound, Funky D will perform.